This page compiles the Abstract, Findings, and Key Takeaways about from the HAC COVID-19 Needs Assessment.
Abstract
Organization: The mission of Health Access Connect (HAC) is to link remote communities to healthcare. HAC does this by setting up community-supported integrated care outreach clinics in remote communities in which frontline healthcare workers serve people who need their services.
Objectives: From April to June 2020, HAC conducted a needs assessment to understand how best to support the four districts they currently serve in the COVID-19 response. The objectives of the needs assessment were to: (1) explore community knowledge of COVID-19, (2) assess the capacity of health workers to respond to COVID-19, (3) understand gaps in health service provision, and (4) provide participants with correct information about COVID-19.
Location: The needs assessment was conducted in 35 villages in Lwengo, Kalangala, Rakai, and Masaka districts.
Study population, sampling strategy, and sample size: 87 key informants were invited to participate in the survey. To explore the community perspective, we interviewed 27 Village Health Team members (also referred to as “community health workers”) and 31 community leaders, such as LC Is. To explore the healthcare worker perspectives, we interviewed 14 nurses, 8 midwives, and 7 clinical officers (health workers) from 41 health facilities.
Ethics: The assessment was reviewed and approved by the District Health Officers in each district that was included. All informants provided oral informed consent.
Needs assessment: The full results of the needs assessment can be found here: COVID-19 Needs Assessment Dashboard.
Key findings: Based on this study, HAC has found that although accurate knowledge about the corona virus is common, there is still a need to further spread correct information to debunk certain misconceptions about the virus and increase COVID-19 related training for health workers. In addition, community residents are requesting more outreaches and better access to health services, and health workers are requesting for more PPE and resources to support them. It is clear that we should put forth additional effort to maintain and expand health services closer to rural communities. Through continuing to provide outreach clinics and modifying them to meet the needs of people during the pandemic, the gap between services demanded and provided can be closed.